KTN has announced the call for companies to participate in its fourth year of Agri-Food Tech investment training and showcase event. Applications close on 6th May 2020.

This year KTN has broadened the scope to include Food-Tech. The KTN’s Agri-Food Tech Investment Showcase, supported by Farm491 and Rabobank, will take place on 19th October 2020 in London.

The ongoing need for private investment in Agri-Food Tech to further realise the sustained public investments and technical excellence within the UK, has been recognised by the KTN, and a priority over the last 3 years has been to support and build the Agri-Food Tech investment community.

All companies selected for the training programme will benefit from the opportunity to pitch to Tom Ritchie of Rabobank ahead of the showcase and can also benefit from additional training sessions hosted by Luke Halsey at Farm491. They aim to target and co-promote to the largest ever cohort of Agri-Food Tech Investors likely to be assembled in the UK to date at the showcase event on the 19th October 2020.

Agri-Food Tech Investment Showcase

The showcase event will enable selected companies to present their investment opportunity to an audience of investors dedicated in targeting Agri-Food Tech opportunities from the UK. The event date of 19th October will coincide with the World Agri-Tech Summit and the Future Food-Tech Summit taking place later in the week, providing greater opportunity for international investors to participate and for them to see some of the leading UK Agri-Food Tech companies showcasing their business opportunities. Details of the previous three Agri-Tech Investment Showcases can be found here.

Call for applications from companies

KTN is looking for innovative Agri-Food Tech companies to participate in the training programme ahead of potential selection to present at the showcase event. Over 70% of the companies who provided feedback on the 2018 programme indicated that it significantly raised their profile and investor readiness. In addition, five companies collaborated with others within the training cohort and two were successful in securing additional Innovate UK funding.

Here are a few quotes obtained during the feedback:

“The programme allowed us to focus on AgTech specific funding opportunities and understand their motivations.” Small Robot Company

“Great opportunity to pitch to targeted investors who understand the space you’re working in. KTN did a really good job of getting everyone pitch-ready as well, significant improvements made over the course of the training!”  Beta Bugs

“The KTN Agri-Tech program was extremely valuable for us. It is a great channel for connecting with prominent individuals and organisations within the Agri-Tech space, and the KTN mentoring support helped us make the most of the opportunity.” Entomics Biosystems

Following a panel review of applications, a number of companies will be invited and encouraged to participate in the complimentary and voluntary Pitch Training Programme;

  • 17th or 23rd June: pitch training to be hosted by the KTN Access to Funding and Finance Team
    Following the invite to participate in the programme each company will be assigned a KTN Agri-Food Mentor, to help prepare their business plan and improve their pitch.
  • 12th or 19th August: additional training session to be held at Farm491 (Cirencester)
  • 15th-16th September: pitch critique with video feedback
  • On 1st-2nd October, all participants must present their final pitch presentation to the selection panel (comprised of KTN, Innovate UK, Rabobank and Farm491) to be eligible to be selected as one of the companies to present at the Showcase on the 19th October.

All training will take place at the KTN London Business Design Centre (BDC) office in Islington unless otherwise stated.

Further information

  • The application form, which must be completed by 23.59 on Wednesday 6th May 2020, can be found here.
  • Successful applicants who will be invited to participate in the programme will be notified by 15th May 2020.
  • Please contact Charles Vander Broek (charles.vanderbroek@ktn-uk.org) or David Telford (david.telford@ktn-uk.org) for further details.
  • This opportunity is open to all companies seeking private investment, including those who have presented in only one of our previous showcase events. Terms and Conditions will need to be accepted before participation in the programme, if selected, and are available on request.

About Farm491

Farm491 is a leading UK based AgriTech incubator and innovation space based at the Royal Agricultural University, supporting entrepreneurs as they advance their business with potential for impact in the agricultural sector. Through membership, entrepreneurs are rooted in the Farm491 ecosystem of farmers, industry partners, investors, mentors and like-minded entrepreneurs, enabling them to create a business that works for the Agricultural sector. You can find out more here.